Consumer Scotland has launched an information campaign to help keep consumers in Scotland and their families safe this Christmas and into the New Year by registering any new electrical products they buy.
The Consumer Scotland information campaign is running across a range of local radio stations and newspapers across Scotland over the next few weeks.
With Christmas a peak period for purchasing gadgets, appliances and other electrical items, Consumer Scotland is highlighting the importance of taking a few simple steps to ensure consumers can be alerted quickly if a fault is discovered.
Registering electrical goods means consumers will be notified directly by the manufacturer if a safety issue arises and the product is recalled.
This could be due to risks to health or safety, such as electrical faults, contamination, or incorrect labelling. Recalls are issued to protect consumers and may lead to a refund, a replacement, or a repair.
Consumers can also check the Office for Product Safety and Standards’ national register, which provides details on all recalled electrical and other goods.
If you are a consumer who is experiencing issues with a product that you think is unsafe and could harm people, you should report your concerns and seek advice from Advice Direct Scotland.
Consumer Scotland Chief Executive Sam Ghibaldan said:
“At this time of year, we’re asking consumers in Scotland to ensure they register any new goods they buy.
“Many of us are buying electrical gifts or taking advantage of promotions such as Black Friday or January sales to upgrade appliances in our homes. Registering these products takes only a few minutes, but it is the most effective way to ensure you will be contacted quickly if something is found to be unsafe.
“Checking the national recall register for details of any product you are concerned about is also an important step in keeping households safe. We want consumers across Scotland to have the information they need to make confident, informed decisions – and to know where to go if they have concerns about a product.”
You can find the full Product Safety Alerts, Reports and Recalls list, hosted by the Office for Product Safety and Standards, at Product Recalls and Alerts - GOV.UK.
To report an unsafe product or get advice on recalled goods, contact Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060 or visit advice.scot.
Consumer Scotland was set up to advocate on behalf of consumers and represent their interests with the public, private and third sectors.